Using sensory testing to predict treatment response in chronic pancreatitis
Official title: QST Study: Predicting Treatment Response in Chronic Pancreatitis Using Quantitative Sensory Testing
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT03434392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a special pain sensitivity test can help predict how well people with chronic pancreatitis will respond to different treatments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 24, 2017 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2030 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | September 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03434392 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with chronic pancreatitis or those with abdominal pain and no pancreatic disease.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with pancreatic disease who do not experience abdominal pain or those unable to comply with study procedures may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study employs Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) to evaluate pain patterns in patients with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP). By applying standardized stimulations, the study aims to map the pain system and identify different phenotypes of pain response. Participants will undergo QST alongside standardized questionnaires assessing pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Follow-up testing will be conducted for those undergoing endoscopic or surgical therapy to assess changes in their pain profile over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective and personalized treatment strategies for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies utilizing similar sensory testing techniques have shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with no pancreatic disease and no abdominal pain, or patients with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia. * Subjects are 18 years or older in age * Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information. * Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study. * Subject is willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, treatment plan, and other study procedures. 2. Suspected CPs Inclusion Criteria * Subjects are 18 years or older in age * Subjects with a) Indeterminate CP (Cambridge 1 or 2 on CT scan or MRI/MRCP) who have abdominal pain without prior history of AP, or b) those with acute (AP) or recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) who have recovered from their attack(s) of AP, whose imaging studies are either normal or show changes consistent with Cambridge classification of 1 or 2, and they have ongoing abdominal pain. Both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects will be allowed to enter the study. * Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information. * Subjects must suffer from abdominal pain suspected to be pancreatic origin with an intensity above 3 on the visual analogue scale (VAS, where 0=no pain and 10= intolerable pain), and meet the criteria for chronic pain (pain ≥ 3 days per week for at least 3 months). * Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study. * Subjects willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, and other study procedures. 3. Definite Chronic Pancreatitis - Inclusion Criteria * Subjects are 18 years or older in age * Subjects will have a prior confirmed diagnosis of CP on CT scan or MRI/MRCP according to Cambridge Classification (grade 3 or 4). Both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects will be allowed to enter the study. * Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information. * Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study. * Subjects willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, and other study procedures. 4. Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) Type 1 or Type 2 Inclusion Criteria * Subjects are 18 years or older in age * Subjects have prior diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (subjects with biliary pain accompanied by biochemical features of transient biliary tract obstruction including elevated transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, or conjugated bilirubin; may also be accompanied by biliary or pancreatic ductal dilation on imaging) * Subjects must be able to read and understand the study information. * Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study. * Subjects willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, questionnaires, and other study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with no pancreatic disease and no abdominal pain, or patients with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia. * Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator. * Subjects suffering from painful conditions that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with CP from chronic pain of other origins. * Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment. * Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas. 2. Suspected CPs Exclusion Criteria * Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator. * Subjects suffering from painful conditions other than pancreatitis or SOD type 1 or 2 that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with pancreatitis or SOD from chronic pain of other origins. * Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment. * Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas. 3. Definite Chronic Pancreatitis Exclusion Criteria * Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator. * Subjects suffering from painful conditions other than pancreatitis or SOD type 1 or 2 that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with pancreatitis or SOD from chronic pain of other origins. * Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment. * Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas. 4. Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) Type 1 or Type 2 Exclusion Criteria * Subjects with evidence or history of medical or surgical disease of importance for this study as judged by investigator. * Subjects suffering from painful conditions other than pancreatitis or SOD that make them unable to distinguish the pain associated with pancreatitis or SOD from chronic pain of other origins. * Subjects with known pregnancy at the time of enrolment. * Subjects who have previously undergone surgical intervention on their pancreas.
Where it's running
-
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anna Evans-Phillips, MD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Anna Evans-Phillips, MD
- Email: evansac3@upmc.edu
- Phone: 412-624-4560
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Scrambler therapy for chronic pancreatitis pain
We will test whether Scrambler Therapy can reduce persistent abdominal pain in adults with chronic pancreatitis who haven't found relief from standard treatments.
-
Infusion of stem cells to reduce pain from chronic pancreatitis
This study is testing whether infusing stem cells can help reduce pain for people suffering from chronic pancreatitis.
-
Cell therapy using stem cells to relieve pain from chronic pancreatitis
This study is testing if using stem cells from veterans' bone marrow can help relieve pain from chronic pancreatitis and improve how their pancreas works.
-
Using sensory testing to predict pain treatment response in chronic pancreatitis
This study is testing if a special sensory test can help predict how well different pain treatments will work for people with chronic pancreatitis.
-
Cognitive Rehabilitation of Everyday Goals With GMT: How Different Ways of Delivery Work
This study tests Goal Management Training to see if a Swedish version helps adults with acquired brain injury or chronic pain improve practical goal-directed thinking and daily functioning.
-
One-time Pain Reprocessing Therapy session for chronic pain at The Ottawa Hospital
A single four-hour session of Pain Reprocessing Therapy is being tested to see if it can help adults with chronic pain feel better and have less pain.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.